Judge from Mykolaiv region drove drunk and concealed income in his declaration

A judge from Mykolaiv region was suspended from his duties for refusing to take a test for intoxication and systematic violations of the law. He had previously received reprimands and violated financial control and ethics requirements.

This was reported by the press service of the South Ukrainian City Court.

The Third Disciplinary Chamber of the High Council of Justice decided to bring to disciplinary responsibility a judge of the Pivdenoukrainskyi City Court of Mykolaiv Oblast, Oleksandr Savin. By the decision of June 25, 2025, he was penalized in the form of a motion for dismissal. According to the law, Savin is automatically suspended from the administration of justice.

The basis for the case was a complaint filed by lawyers of the NGO DEJURE after an incident that occurred in April 2024. At that time, the judge was stopped by patrol police on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. According to law enforcement officers, Savin agreed to a test, but insisted on going only to a specific hospital.

Screenshot: I have the right

In the end, instead of undergoing a medical examination, he stopped at his home and went inside, citing poor health. Patrol policemen drew up a report for refusing to undergo the examination, and in March 2025, the court found him guilty under Article 130 of the Code of Administrative Offenses. An appeal upheld the decision.

This is not the first case of violations by the judge. In 2017, he was reprimanded by the High Council of Justice for gross violation of procedural law. In 2024, he was found guilty of violating financial control requirements by failing to notify the NACP of his income of UAH 600,000 in a timely manner. Another case related to a conflict of interest is also currently pending in court.

According to the Center for Public Investigations, Savin's main source of income is his salary - last year he received over UAH 1.5 million. Currently, the official owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz E-250, which he purchased in July 2022 for 700 thousand hryvnias, while he used to drive a Hyundai Santa Fe, but this car no longer appears in his latest declaration. In addition to his salary, Savin declared a pension worth UAH 281 thousand.

Анна Бальчінос